Nega Blast X – We Want to Rock

Nega Blast X describes itself as “a trance techno industrial music project formed in 2010 by Burbank music arranger and author Dominic R Daniels. Music is inspired by Daft Punk, Orbital, The Mutaytor and Eisenfunk. Sound is similar to New Order.”

The influence of New Order is apparent right off the bat in the first track of their latest album “We Want to Rock.” The opening song though, is simply titled “Want to Rock.” It very authentically captures the kind of darker, 80s electronic sound (unlike the cheesy 80s teen movie music.) The synths in “Want to Rock” bring to mind bleak, yet energetic cyberpunk action sequences or club scenes in films like Blade Runner or the original Terminator.

Other songs like Centipede (perhaps named after the classic arcade game?) seem to have a heavier, less bouncy vibe. Some have a very full and almost industrial sound. Interestingly, the band Orgy covered New Order’s song “Blue Monday,” and at times…Nega Blast X’s sound seems like a cross between the two bands.

There is quite a bit of variety in the music though. Just when I though I had “Nega Blast X” pinned down, the 6th track “For Angels That Weep” comes along and displays some added versatility. It’s very ambient and slower paced than other tracks. In there are cathedrals or other religious institutions in the future, “For Angels That Weep” is what I would imagine futuristic church music to sound like. It is very well positioned at this part of the album, to act as a kind of intermission.

The song “Technotronic” (presumably no relation to the late 80′s / early 90′s group with the hit songs “Pump Up the Jam” and “Get Up!”…or is there?) is another kind of lite-heavy-duty industrial dance jam.)

My favorite song on the album though is the final track, “Black Journey” which almost seems like it was tailor made for an 80s sci-fi/horror film soundtrack, or even as an intro to some “Tales From the Darkside” type show. It is complex, elaborate, dark and just an extremely well composed piece of music. I kind of wish it was earlier in the album because most people typically don’t listen to an entire album, so they’ll probably miss out on it. However, those that do stick around for the last track will be rewarded.

All in all, I feel like “We Want to Rock” is a solid and coherent album that knows what it wants to be and accomplishes what it sets out to do.